Life insurance means different things to different people. When it’s time to select a policy, the first step you should take is to think about your goals. Figure out why you need life insurance. Do you simply want coverage for when you die’ Do you want to replace your income’ Many people want life insurance in order to establish a fund for big life expenses, such as college, retirement or to cover outstanding debts if they die or become disabled. You need to think about what you want life insurance to accomplish for you before you can decide what kind of policy is best for you.

Second, before you buy a policy, take a careful look at your budget. Be sure you can afford the policy you buy. Know how much you can spend each month on premiums. Term policies tend to be less expensive than whole life policies. Some people buy whole life as an investment tool, but others opt for a combination of term life and whole life to meet their unique financial needs. Whichever kind of policy or policies you decide are best, always be sure you can make the payments. A qualified life insurance agent can help you find options to schedule payments in ways that work for your budget.

Third, don’t forget to calculate your earning power, especially if you need life insurance for income replacement. Most of us assume a three percent annual raise when estimating earning power, and most of us retire when we are 65 years old. However, select the scenario that best suits you and your lifestyle when calculating your future earning power. You want to make sure you are realistic in this calculation so you can accurately select the life insurance product that best suits your needs.

Finally, consider what stage you are in life. It may be that all you need is a death benefit. But if you have people dependent on you for their income, you may need to leave them a great deal more. If you have dependents, make sure your income is replaced in the event of your death or incapacity. And if you need more money for your retirement than your social security checks and pension will provide, consider whole life as an investment tool.

Look long and hard at your goals, your budget, and the needs of those you love. Consider where you are in your life and what you want to do with the years ahead. When you have clear goals you can share with your agent, then he or she can help you find the exact coverage that is best for you.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator at Lifeinsurance-Southafrica.co.za South Arica?s leading Life Insurance and Life Cover portal.